5:45- I hear Alfie stirring, so I go to feed her. She generally eats around this time, I go back to bed to pretend to sleep for a few minutes, and then I get dressed and run.
5:50- A door slowly opens, just a crack, then swings open. Little footsteps pound (not patter- pound) down the hall. The bambino is awake, speaking loudly. Alfie goes from eating in her sleep to wide awake.
5:57- I convince the bambino that it's still the middle of the night. He reluctantly goes back to sleep. Alfie, however, is wide awake. I give her a few toys, turn the light on for her, and retreat back to bed for ten minutes before my run. She'll fall back asleep like always.
6:00- Baby girl is AWAKE. Like, laughing. I capitulate and go to her room. Another door slowly opens, then swings wide, another set of footsteps down the hall. I accept that this morning will not be a run morning. We spend the next hour hanging out as a happy trio- Alfie plays on the couch, gleefully grabbing her toes or a blanket. The bambino sings to her, plays with his Legos, talks to me about his day. It's good.
I am an optimist who complains a lot, so I think sometimes I sound like a pessimist. Why do I complain? No clue- to me, I'm just making conversation, but when I think about what's coming out of my mouth (which is rare, I admit), I see that I mention the negatives more than the positives. Perhaps this is because the positives seem so obvious to me: of course I love my life! It's awesome and full of love and happiness and steady jobs and family and running and doing what I love. It's the aberrations that I notice, so these are the things I talk about. I'll work on that.
Anyway, this morning was one of those mornings where I had a choice to make: not whether to run or not, because I was not about to leave two awake kids with a still-sleeping spouse. That's just mean. No, I had to decide whether to be really bummed about not running or to just go with it. Thankfully, I chose to accept what I couldn't change and the morning turned out well. I had extra kiddo time, they got extra Mama time, and I knew the run could wait.
The run waited until this evening, after dinner and after the kids went to sleep. I ran at 7:15, outside, in the humidity and traffic. No complaints, though; it was great. I ran a new favorite loop in a nearby neighborhood, and it was the fastest I've run three miles since last August, and just one day after a mini-speed workout. (Yesterday I added in five 45-second pick-ups to my run). If I had run this morning, I might not have had that experience, and I needed it. It restored my confidence, and I didn't even know I needed that. The average pace? 8:48 for 3.4 miles. Nice to see you again, Mojo.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Goal!
My first race of the fall is the Miles for Matthew 10k here in Greensboro. I pledged to raise at least $100, and as of Thursday I'd only raised $35. So around 9:00, I posted this:
Well, within thirty minutes I had nearly doubled my goal. I am so thankful for friends who support a worthy cause. Now, however, I have to figure out what color to dye my hair. It will be for the race, but depending on the color it might stick around longer.
In college, I dyed my hair a lot. It was bright pink, strawberry blond, electric blue, and various shades of red and brown. After graduation I just stopped. It's been nearly ten years since my hair has had any kind of color, so I think it'll be fun. The only problem is that I'm prone to laziness, especially in hair care, so I need a color that won't take a lot to maintain. The current votes are for pink, orange, fuchsia, or gold- I don't know how my principal would feel about those, but it's for a good cause. I have about a month to figure it out, so I'll keep you updated.
Another current goal is to run 50 miles this month. This is huge for me; I've never been a high mileage runner, and even during marathon training I struggled to run more than 100 miles in a month. So I am thrilled to say that I'm on track to not just meet but kill my August goal.
I've been running about 15 miles per week, and that's going to go up as my weekend runs get longer. This morning I ran SIX MILES, my longest post-baby run yet. I managed to average less than 10:00/mile, a pleasant surprise. For me, running gets easier the more I run. I know some (okay, most if not all) of you are saying no kidding, but in the past I've tried to get by with three runs a week. There are lots of plans out there (Runner's World and elsewhere) that call for two midweek runs and a weekend long run. With my schedule, I figured that was the best I could do. Now I run five days a week, working up to six, and you know what? I feel great. It was easy to find the time without sacrificing family or work.
And, of course, some pictures of the kiddos simply because they're adorable.
Well, within thirty minutes I had nearly doubled my goal. I am so thankful for friends who support a worthy cause. Now, however, I have to figure out what color to dye my hair. It will be for the race, but depending on the color it might stick around longer.
In college, I dyed my hair a lot. It was bright pink, strawberry blond, electric blue, and various shades of red and brown. After graduation I just stopped. It's been nearly ten years since my hair has had any kind of color, so I think it'll be fun. The only problem is that I'm prone to laziness, especially in hair care, so I need a color that won't take a lot to maintain. The current votes are for pink, orange, fuchsia, or gold- I don't know how my principal would feel about those, but it's for a good cause. I have about a month to figure it out, so I'll keep you updated.
Another current goal is to run 50 miles this month. This is huge for me; I've never been a high mileage runner, and even during marathon training I struggled to run more than 100 miles in a month. So I am thrilled to say that I'm on track to not just meet but kill my August goal.
I've been running about 15 miles per week, and that's going to go up as my weekend runs get longer. This morning I ran SIX MILES, my longest post-baby run yet. I managed to average less than 10:00/mile, a pleasant surprise. For me, running gets easier the more I run. I know some (okay, most if not all) of you are saying no kidding, but in the past I've tried to get by with three runs a week. There are lots of plans out there (Runner's World and elsewhere) that call for two midweek runs and a weekend long run. With my schedule, I figured that was the best I could do. Now I run five days a week, working up to six, and you know what? I feel great. It was easy to find the time without sacrificing family or work.
And, of course, some pictures of the kiddos simply because they're adorable.
My little runner. He's probably
listening to Todd Snider.
Psychedelic Camouflage
A whole lotta orange around here
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Sleeping and Running
Having a three month old and a running schedule isn't always easy. We had gotten to a good place: Alfie slept through the night, occasionally waking for one feeding around 3:00. I fed her at 6:00 and then set off for a run or into the living room for some strength training. I slept 7.5-8 hours a night. Plenty.
And then this week happened. It started Monday or Tuesday with baby's first cold. It was very mild: sniffles, icky nose, a few sneezes, and a girl who wanted to snuggle. She woke up several times in the night because of her nose (I think). Then Thursday was my first full day back at work. Baby girl has had bottles before, but we have not used them regularly. So Thursday, she decides she does not like bottles. At all. Jenn let me know around 2:30 that Alfie still hadn't eaten since I left at 8:30, so I headed on home and fed her. Same thing that night when I went to Parent-Teacher night. This meant that she thought she should wake up a whole lot at night to make up for the food she had refused to consume during normal waking hours. Friday, she managed to take a bottle around 12:45, but she wasn't happy about it. Friday night? Yup, same thing. Yesterday (Saturday), I was with her all day, feeding whenever she wanted, to let her know that (a) she is going to have plenty of milk and (b) we'd all appreciate a longer night's rest. She made it 4 hours before starting the feeding game again. At 2:00, I tried to walk her back to sleep: no dice. At 4:00, I was initially successful but then she went ape and I fed her around 5:00. Have I mentioned that I am a morning exerciser and not good at sleeping in, even when I need it or have a rest day?
All of this sleeping drama should have affected me more than it did. I should have been a zombie Friday on my first day with students (Yes, we start super early). I don't drink caffeine. I have gotten perhaps six hours of sleep, very interrupted, over the past several days. But Friday I was fine- perky, even. Saturday I woke up and ran five miles, beating last week's attempt at the same route by more than two minutes. And this morning I woke up and ran even though it wasn't on the schedule.
After the past few days, I have become a strong believer in the power of running (or any exercise) to give energy to those of us who simply shouldn't have it. Overtraining is another story, as is those athletes training really hard with high mileage weeks who need more sleep. But for me, an average runner logging 15-25 miles per week, I can function on less sleep if I wake up and hit the pavement (or the trail). Running is a good little alarm clock for my brain.
I know there are parents of little ones out there who have it a lot worse. There are three monthers who still wake every two hours every night, and I am so grateful that Alfie doesn't do that. Of course, I still hope that it ends really soon. Yes, it's possible to get by on six hours of sleep and still be a good mom, teach high school, make dinner, do chores, and run, but eight hours makes it a little easier.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Fall Race Schedule
I've made up my mind about (at least some of) the races I will run this fall. For me, there's always this tension between loving races and hating paying for them: I am thrifty (that is, cheap). Regardless, this season I need races to motivate and keep me on track to a spring marathon.
9/15- Miles for Matthew 10k
My goal should be just to finish, since I had a baby three months ago and have never run a 10k. Instead, I really want to finish in less than an hour. I think I can do it. I ran five miles, averaging just above 10:00/mile, on Saturday. With another month of training and a cooler morning, I should be good.
10/13- Cannonball Half Marathon
Dad and I are running this one together. He ran it in 2:35 last year and (I think) his goal this year is 2:15, on the road to his first marathon next spring! I've run this race so many times, and I enjoy racing on the Greenway where I train.
11/22- Greensboro Gobbler 5k
With no chance of getting close to my 5k PR (22:04), I would like to finish under 27 minutes, or better than 9 minutes per mile. I would be thrilled to adjust this goal down based on the next few months, but that pace would be a big challenge today. I love the course (Country Park) for training but really really hate it for a race: all those hills!
12/1- Mistletoe Half Marathon
All but the Mistletoe are in Greensboro; Mistletoe is in nearby Winston-Salem, and it's one of the first halfs I ran a gazillion years ago. I want to run a sub-2:00 race.
I might add in another 5k or two depending on location, free time, and kids' events. The Bambino wants to race, too, so I'll try to accommodate. What races are you doing this year? Any that I should know about?
9/15- Miles for Matthew 10k
My goal should be just to finish, since I had a baby three months ago and have never run a 10k. Instead, I really want to finish in less than an hour. I think I can do it. I ran five miles, averaging just above 10:00/mile, on Saturday. With another month of training and a cooler morning, I should be good.
10/13- Cannonball Half Marathon
Dad and I are running this one together. He ran it in 2:35 last year and (I think) his goal this year is 2:15, on the road to his first marathon next spring! I've run this race so many times, and I enjoy racing on the Greenway where I train.
11/22- Greensboro Gobbler 5k
With no chance of getting close to my 5k PR (22:04), I would like to finish under 27 minutes, or better than 9 minutes per mile. I would be thrilled to adjust this goal down based on the next few months, but that pace would be a big challenge today. I love the course (Country Park) for training but really really hate it for a race: all those hills!
12/1- Mistletoe Half Marathon
All but the Mistletoe are in Greensboro; Mistletoe is in nearby Winston-Salem, and it's one of the first halfs I ran a gazillion years ago. I want to run a sub-2:00 race.
I might add in another 5k or two depending on location, free time, and kids' events. The Bambino wants to race, too, so I'll try to accommodate. What races are you doing this year? Any that I should know about?
Friday, July 27, 2012
A Perfect Week
This has been a perfect workout week, and it's been a long time since I've had one of those. Every morning I've woken up around 6:00, fed the still-sleeping baby, and either gone for a run or done some strength training. Wednesday, Eden and I went to our last Mom and Baby Yoga class before I head back to work next week.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I ran: 2 miles on Monday; Wednesday and Friday 3 miles each. Despite the humidity, it feels great to run outside. Tuesday and Thursday I did my circuit routine. It's almost the same as the one that wrecked my back last week, but instead of one-legged deadlifts, I did plié squats. I can already see and feel differences in my abs and arms.
Another thing that made this week so nice is that Eden turned three months old on Wednesday! She weighs in at a petite 11 pounds, 9 ounces and is cute as a button. I can't believe how fast we've moved from this...
...to this!
Truth be told, she still loves to be worn and I still do it. But it's not a requirement now; she can entertain herself, and big brother loves to assist. She is alert, loves to flirt, and only occasionally screams like a relentless banshee. Best of all, she pretty much sleeps through the night. Sure, we have hiccups (last night she woke up at 1:00 for a snack), but most nights she is down from 9:00 to 8:00. I feed her at 6:00 a.m. for my comfort, not for her hunger.
With this perfect week as a confidence booster, I will (attempt to) run five miles tomorrow. That's the longest I've run since the Cannonball Half Marathon last October. It's also a good six weeks before I run the Miles for Matthew 10k, which you can donate to here. (The race is for Matthew, an amazing boy with Duchenne MD. I taught with his mom for several years.) It's my first 10k ever and, while I will not be running especially fast, I would really like to finish in under an hour.
Will next week be perfect, too? We'll see...
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Oh, My Aching Back!
Last week was the beginning of The Plan: wake up around 6 every weekday morning to work out. Alternate running with strength training. Great idea!
I started Wednesday with a nice run with Jack the dog. We did 2.5 miles and had a great time; I noticed all of the little changes to the neighborhood after being away for three weeks, he peed on anything that stood at least mostly still.
Then Thursday I woke up and did my first circuit workout in, oh, ten months. (See where I'm going with this?) I did...
I started Wednesday with a nice run with Jack the dog. We did 2.5 miles and had a great time; I noticed all of the little changes to the neighborhood after being away for three weeks, he peed on anything that stood at least mostly still.
Then Thursday I woke up and did my first circuit workout in, oh, ten months. (See where I'm going with this?) I did...
- push-ups (15, on my knees)
- wall squats (one minute)
- plank (one minute)
- triceps dips (12, because I am weak)
- oblique crunches (40, because my abs are awesome)
- one-leg deadlifts (15 each side, with no weights)
- bridges (20)
I did just two rounds of this before The Bambino woke up. We had breakfast, went to Round 3 of Vacation Bible School for the summer, and then I started to notice a problem: my back was sore.
I am not a wimp. I do not take drugs for mere trifles. So I stretched it out. Stretching cures everything muscle-related, right?
By evening I could only walk bent forward, a cross between Igor from Young Frankenstein and an elderly crab. I couldn't really carry Alfie either, and she doesn't weigh much. Friday morning when I awoke and tried unsuccessfully to get out of bed, I knew I was in trouble. My right hip was exactly three inches higher than my left. I don't think that's supposed to happen. I was hobbling all day, and it wasn't pretty. By Saturday morning I could walk mostly normally unless I sat for too long, so I tried a run- no go. It felt like little knives stabbing me in the lower back.
This morning I tried again, since I could walk really normally and roll out of bed without wincing. It was really painful at first, but I added in a lot of walking and it eventually got better. Followed up with stretching, I now feel almost whole.
This long weekend of discomfort has taught me a few things.
- Being pregnant and having a baby might make you mentally stronger, but physically you do have to go easy on yourself. I had done no strength work but yoga for almost a year, so jumping right into it was not smart. I will continue my plan, but I will work up to the more challenging exercises.
- One-leg deadlifts have to be done with proper form, and at the moment I apparently do not have it. I'm pretty sure these were the culprits. In the past I've done them well, but in the past my back, core, and hamstrings were stronger to begin with and they still weren't easy.
- At 31, I feel like I am falling apart. My knee hurt for most of vacation (due to long drives, I think), and now my back. Yeesh.
- When I can't run, I get anxious. Will I be able to run tomorrow? Should I see a doctor? Should I just run anyway even though it hurts like Hades? If I run injured, am I going to hurt myself more? I know the answers to these questions, but I don't like most of them.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Running and Beaching (and Eating)
We've been in Longport for ten days! We've seen family and old friends, and we've eaten really well (but definitely too much). Dad and I have also run a few times:
Tuesday, July 3- 2 miles
Wednesday, July 4- 2 miles (1 mile warm-up and then the mile race)
Friday, July 6- 2.5 miles
Monday, July 9- 3.75 miles + a 14-miles bike ride on the Boardwalk
I've meant to run more, but the best time to run is early in the morning and the best time to play spades is late at night. These two truths are in constant opposition, especially since I like to get 7-8 hours of sleep.
My knee has been feeling funny since Memphis. It hasn't gotten any worse, and the clicking is better. Every once in a while, though, I step down and there is a sharp pain which I do not like. When I google it (which is dangerous), I find that it could be arthritis, or my ACL, or a shredded meniscus, or countless other things. I think it's a result of sitting and driving too much, coupled with a new pair of Birkenstocks that I wore too much without breaking in. I will go to the running store when I get home for a more expert opinion, but in the meantime I run because it doesn't hurt when I run. Risky? Oh, probably. But so is eating as much food as I've been eating without some meaningful form of exercise.
This is mostly a picture post, so here are pictures:
Tuesday, July 3- 2 miles
Wednesday, July 4- 2 miles (1 mile warm-up and then the mile race)
Friday, July 6- 2.5 miles
Monday, July 9- 3.75 miles + a 14-miles bike ride on the Boardwalk
I've meant to run more, but the best time to run is early in the morning and the best time to play spades is late at night. These two truths are in constant opposition, especially since I like to get 7-8 hours of sleep.
My knee has been feeling funny since Memphis. It hasn't gotten any worse, and the clicking is better. Every once in a while, though, I step down and there is a sharp pain which I do not like. When I google it (which is dangerous), I find that it could be arthritis, or my ACL, or a shredded meniscus, or countless other things. I think it's a result of sitting and driving too much, coupled with a new pair of Birkenstocks that I wore too much without breaking in. I will go to the running store when I get home for a more expert opinion, but in the meantime I run because it doesn't hurt when I run. Risky? Oh, probably. But so is eating as much food as I've been eating without some meaningful form of exercise.
This is mostly a picture post, so here are pictures:
The church the day after the fire.
What's left of the church today, as seen from the labyrinth.
My oldest friend came for a visit with her husband and two daughters. Our youngest had the same due date but are actually two weeks apart.
The older kids, hers and mine, playing on the beach. So cute, non?
The Bambino at a water show on the Boardwalk. He was mesmerized!
The Bambino in his first race. He did not run the whole way, but he really worked hard!
Here he is running his heart out. He got lots of cheers!
Tired boy, with medal, bib, and tee-shirt.
As I post this, he is saying, "I want to run a race again. A rock and roll race. Mama, next time if there is a rock and roll race happening, can I run it? Cause I want to win a race!" He's caught the bug and I couldn't be more proud.
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